Cohesive Particle–Fluid Systems: An Overview of their CFD Simulation

Solid particles may experience different kinds of cohesive forces, which cause them to form agglomerates and affect their flow in multiphase systems. When such systems are simulated through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) programs, appropriate modelling tools must be included to reproduce this feature. In this review, these strategies are addressed for various systems and scales. After an introduction of the different forces (van der Waals, electrostatic, liquid bridge forces, etc.), the modelling approaches are categorized under three methodologies. For diluted slurries of very fine particles, many researchers succeeded with pseudo-single phase approaches, employing a model for the non-Newtonian rheology. This was especially popular for sludges in anaerobic digestions or certain types of soils. In other cases, continuum-based approaches seem to be more adequate, including cohesiveness in the kinetic theory of granular flows or the restitution coefficient. Geldart-A particles experiencing van der Waals forces are the primary focus of such studies. Finally, when each particle is modelled as a discrete element, the cohesive force can be directly specified; this is especially widespread for the wet fluidization case. For each of these approaches, a general overview of the main strategies, achievements, and limits is provided.